Graded Altered?

[jchcollins]

Hi guys,

You don't know me because I collect mostly post-war and am more active over in those forums. But I figured what I'm about to ask about may actually be more applicable to pre-war collectors, so thought I would do it here. Some questions for you:

To preface, I'm sick of high-end cards. (High end to me is about a PSA 7). Earlier today I was looking through some 1960's items to sell and got caught in that familiar trap of scrutiny, looking and trying to find some of the micro-imperfections in a high end card. After about 20-30 minutes, I realized I was stressed out and not having fun - kind of the opposite of what this hobby is supposed to be about. I've been through this cycle before. I want to enjoy a "nice" high-end card so I buy something in that spectrum again - even after I have told myself before I don't want to. Many of my 1950's star cards (Mantle, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson) are raw mid- or lower grade cards and I'm thrilled with them. Always have been.

To shift to the opposite end of the scale, I wanted to ask about trimmed / altered cards. I did a search for some of these on a whim on eBay earlier tonight, and was kind of shocked at some of the low prices - particularly for pre-war stars in "A" or "Authentic Altered" slabs. Anyone collect or perhaps even focus on these? What has been your experience?

At the end of the day it's like I can't make up my mind: I like the attributes of many higher end cards, but I feel like they lead me to be a paranoid, OCD collector - and most of them are out of my price range anyway. Back when I was a kid I collected vintage for pure love and joy of the game - and in that respect a 1956 Ed Mathews with a crease on it or a '54 Bowman Campanella with battered corners was still a museum piece in my eyes. Thoughts on going "lower" with altered cards?

Thanks.